2023 Board of Directors
David DeLorenzo President david.delorenzo@gmail.com
703.887.0505
John Astorino Vice President
john.astorino@longandfoster.com
703.898.5148
Caitlin Clark Secretary sheaclark@comcast.net 703.967.8997
Bob Sampson Treasurer bsampson71@gmail.com
703.362.0027
Mike Cozad mcozad@advairac.com
703.926.6758
Tom Davis tdavis@gandrellc.com 703.772.5015
Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com 571.214.4673
John Palladino jape199@aol.com 703.901.0744
Charles Rolen rolencw@gmail.com 703.862.9370
2023 Committees
Audit
Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com 571.214.4673
Communications
Katie Kissal katiekissal@gmail.com 703.244.4583
Finance
Bob Sampson bsampson71@gmail.com 703.362.0027
Fitness
Gayle Burgoyne gayleburgoyne@aol.com
703.455.3985
Food & Beverage
Brandon Streicher brandon.streicher@gmail.com 414.628.2362
Golf
David Kelly davidnkelly@verizon.net
703.786.0980
Green
Dan Derisio dderisio@yahoo.com 703.618.1720
House
Julie Graham juliegraham10@me.com 703.650.8788
Membership
Jon Danforth danforth.jon@gmail.com 703.409.7383
Personnel
John Astorino john.astorino@longandfoster.com 703.898.5148
Rules
Bruce Nordstrom bnorthstream@yahoo.com 202.494.6558
Social
Jen Palladino jennix4@aol.com 703.303.8779
Natalee Siveroni olahnatalee@gmail.com
Strategic Planning
Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com 571.214.4673
Swim/Pool
Mike Goede goedes@me.com 703.927.0941
Tennis Campbell Palmer campbell.palmer@gmail.com 703.258.2255
Board Report
BY DAVID DELORENZO | BOARD PRESIDENTIt’s hard to believe that summer is over, the kids are back in school, and fall sports seasons are underway. We’ve had an excellent summer at the Club, and now we’re looking forward to fall and the height of our social season. Don’t miss out on the numerous events taking place all over the Club in the next two months including Casino Night, Goat Yoga, Oktoberfest Beer Garden Dinner, South African Wine Dinner, the Golf Club Championship, Tennis Doubles and Singles Championships, Mixed Doubles Pickleball Tournament, Adult Halloween Mixer, and the Family Halloween Festival.
This year we got an early start on our annual fall aerification and maintenance, which was completed before Labor Day. We expect the course to get into shape for the many exciting golf events over the next couple months, including our second Fall Member/Guest in late September. You probably already know that Mother Nature was not kind to our temporary spillway repair, but the company had a warranty on the work and will be fixing this until a more permanent solution is put into place for our dam and spillway. I’d like to give a big shout out to Shawn Gill on the condition of the golf course for the entirety of this season. It has been in great shape with consistent greens and a brutal rough.
On the golf front, congratulations to Eric Walker (Gross) and Greg McIntyre (Net) on their Senior Club Championship performance. Additionally, our B-Team has advanced to the next round of the playoffs after slipping by Belle Haven in the opening round. Our Retirees are also continuing a good season with only a few remaining matches.
It never hurts to remind all our members that while everyone is here to enjoy the many amenities in place at Springfield, we do have policies that govern access, pace of play, dress code, and general conduct. While it is the responsibility of staff to ensure that members know and understand the policies, they are too often tasked with enforcing them. It is each member’s responsibility to dress and act like members of a country club. There are far too many dress code violations: tee shirts on the Patio or in the Clubhouse, hats on anywhere in the Clubhouse, shirts untucked on the golf course, hats on backwards on the golf course, and gym or other inappropriate
attire on the driving range. Please familiarize yourself with the policies here at Springfield and always respect the staff if they are in the position of having to address a violation with you.
The annual Board Election process is underway, and we have selected our Nominating Committee. Members with voting rights in good standing are eligible to run for the Board. The Nominating Committee has outlined additional criteria for candidates including having been an Active member for at least four years and having a minimum of two years’ experience on SGCC committees. Serving on the Board is a wonderful way to give back to the Club community. If you are interested in running, please reach out to Steve Lawson, General Manager (steve@sgccva.org) and/or Tom Stribling (tjstribling@gmail.com), Nominating Committee Chairman, for qualification details and an application. Candidate applications are due by September 11, 2023.
As we head into the fall, we can appreciate the many enhancements to our facilities, including the renovations to the tennis surfaces and overall appearance with the new windscreens and lighting; the new tee box on #3 made for a fabulous option in many golf events; our new fitness makeover and equipment have been well received; and our new pickleball nets are fantastic. We have many more plans on our list, but we always have to remain cognizant of our finances and the economy, and balance what we want with what we need. That being said, we always appreciate the view of our overall membership and will be sending out a comprehensive membership survey to all members and their spouses in the coming months. It will be critical for us to have a significant response to this survey so stay tuned for messaging. The purpose of the survey is to assess our current state so we can adequately prepare for our future.
As always, if you have any questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Committee Chairs and members of the Board. I hope you have enjoyed another summer at your home away from home, SGCC!
WGA-18 News You Can Use: The One & Only Judy Bruce
BY KATHLEEN TINDAL | CHAIRMAN, WGA-18As the WGA-18 Chair, I had the pleasure to chat with one of our long-time members, Judy Bruce, about her experience as a member of Springfield Golf and Country Club and the WGA18:
KT: What advice would you give women who are new to golf or are thinking of taking it up?
JB: Here is the advice I gave my granddaughter who is collegeage and wants to take it up: start out with lessons so you learn right instead of learning wrong. I guess that’s the teacher in me!
Kathleen Tindal: How long have you been a member at SGCC?
Judy Bruce: My husband, Bob, and I joined the Club in 1977 when we came back from an overseas assignment. Bob worked for the State Department at the time.
KT: You extensively volunteered your time at SGCC, what specifically did you do?
KT: What do you enjoy the most about being a member at SGCC?
JB: The people and my friends.
KT: How long have you been playing golf?
JB: I never really have played golf regularly, but have played leisurely since the 70’s. I did not play very often because when we came back from overseas, I started teaching school. I taught 7th grade math for about 15 years at Washington Irving. I ended up teaching students that later became members of the Club and teaching the children of members who had kids at the school. Amazingly, I know a lot of members through teaching!
I’m not a competitive golfer. I play more for enjoyment. But over the years, I had two holes-in-one (#11 at Springfield and the other during an ARFAX match at Army/Navy-Fairfax) and I won two ARFAX D Cup tournaments!
JB: I served on many WGA-18 committees including Member/ Guest, Membership, Rules, and Handicap and was very active in ARFAX for almost 30 years.
At least 30 years ago, while teaching at Irving, I helped develop a lottery system using random numbers for tee time requests. This process was used until several years after Josh became our Golf Pro and the Club bought the program that now is in use. I also helped with the 3-Day Member/Guest committee for several years, handling the financial aspect of the event.
KT: I understand your husband, Bob Bruce, contributed a lot at SGCC. Can you tell me more?
JB: At the time it was a very manual process, but Bob ran the Opening and Closing Breakfast, and monthly Half Day Member/Guest tournaments, entering the data, printing the cards, and assigning the foursomes.
After Bob passed away, a bench was installed on the first tee in his honor and the Club held a Half Day Member/Guest in his honor for about 15 years. Bob served on the Board of
Continued on page 6
Directors for at least three terms. I wish you knew Bob, he was a wonderful person, he didn’t have an enemy.
KT: You are an incredible woman and you turned 91 in June this year! You are very active playing golf, playing bridge, you attend happy hours and socialize. What keeps you motivated?
KT: We all go through struggles in life, what have you gone through and how did you overcome it and find the strength to get through?
JB: Our biggest problems were dealing with medical issues for both Bob and me. And you deal with what you gotta do, and life goes on. Your cup can be half full or half empty and I always try to have mine half full…except when I drank too much! You have to smile and just roll with the punches.
JB: I could move to a retirement community, but I’d rather stay here as long as I can because this is where my friends are. I come to SGCC often. I hit balls on the range, I see people, and I get my exercise. This is my home away from home.
Judy Bruce is truly an inspiration for all of us; she is living her life to its fullest and I feel honored to have captured a little bit about her life here at Springfield. Thank you, Judy, for sharing your Springfield Story.
Get Ready for Social Season
BY EMILY KAUFFMAN | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONOne of the most appealing things about SGCC is the vibrant social life our membership enjoys. Have you ever wondered just how that social life is born? Some events are planned and executed solely by the staff, but many of the fantastic events and parties come from and are hosted by the Social Committee.
The Social Committee is the largest committee SGCC has with approximately fifteen to twenty regular members. So much work goes into managing the committee and planning and executing the events that it is the only committee that requires co-chairs. While such a large committee can be unwieldy at times, the size is intentional. “We’re the biggest committee on purpose,” says Jen Nix-Palladino, one of the co-chairs. “We
wanted people of different age groups and interests: tennisonly, golf-only, social-only. We want to encompass all the groups that make up the Club.”
Jen joined SGCC in 2013 and is a regular at staple events like wine dinners and claims she would come to every event if she could. She has served on the Social Committee for about six years, originally joining when it was chaired by Tiffany Skrutsky and Lauren Huemmer. When Tiffany and Lauren stepped down at the end of 2019, Jen took up the mantle alongside Patti Luxenburg who served as co-chair until this year. The new Social Committee co-chair is Natalee Siveroni who joined SGCC in the fall of 2018 and was on the Social Committee
for about a year before agreeing to co-chair this past January.
“I think the age difference between Natalee and me works well,” says Jen. “It’s been great because Patti and I have the same social group, but Natalee brings in a different group and different ideas. People have joined the committee who wouldn’t have done so if Natalee wasn’t there.”
“The benefit of having a well-rounded Social Committee is that it allows us to host events that hit all demographics,” Natalee adds. “The reality is we have club members from all demographics: we have families, we have singles, we have young professionals, we have seniors, we have members who have been here for twenty plus years. Our goal is to make each event as successful as we can.”
out ideas; participation dwindles a bit as the year goes on and the focus shifts to planning the details of individual events. But even when people can’t attend meetings, they often reach out to Jen and Natalee to share their input. Sometimes event ideas come from outside of the committee whether developing organically in conversation or from a member seeking out committee members to pitch an idea.
“The idea for last year’s 80s Prom came from someone outside the committee,” Jen shares. “She brought the idea to me and I was like, alright, take ownership of it. When it wasn’t filling up how it was supposed to, she took the initiative to actively spread the word and then attendance spiked.”
“Our most important job is spreading the word,” Jen adds. “People don’t always read their email, they don’t always notice the beautiful digital signs and fliers, so our number one goal is spreading the word and we do that. We each have our own group of friends and we reach out to them. Last fall, Patti and Mark Luxenburg reached out to tons of members to personally invite them to Casino Night and that’s how we had such a great turn out.”
The Social Committee has all implemented some new tactics this year to get the word out about events. In addition to talking about events to their friends and fellow members at happy hours and over Friday night dinners, there are also framed event calendars in the bathrooms and locker rooms to increase exposure. The Social Committee also makes sure that when talking to people about upcoming events, they learn how to use the website calendar and scroll through the featured events on the mobile app to see what’s coming in future weeks. They also emphasize the need for people to register for events. “A surprising number of people don’t realize they have to register,” Jen says. “So we spread the word about the events and tell people to register and spread the word about registering!”
So, how do these successful events come about? According to Jen it’s a total-group effort: “This year, at the beginning of the year, we put out an email that said come with your ideas. We literally went around the table and everyone shared different ideas depending on what they were interested in and Jordan [Willis] jotted them down and we went from there.”
The Social Committee tends to have more members at the beginning of the year when they are brainstorming and throwing
Registration is critical not only because management needs a headcount for linens, seating charts, staffing, and food prep, but because knowing who is coming to an event often encourages more people to sign up. When asked what their own determining factors are for attending a Club event, both Natalee and Jen say that the guest list is second only to scheduling.
“Once I know that I’m available and not out of town or something, I want to know who else is going,” Natalee says. “I like going to events with my friends and then I also get to make new friends each time I come up to the Club.”
“Whenever there’s an event I reach out, I have several text
groups, and say ‘This looks fun, do you want to come?’ I also think when people go online and look and see who’s there, the more people they see, the more they want to attend themselves.”
Once the brainstorming stage is complete, the committee breaks into subcommittees with each group responsible for the specific planning and details of their event. Volunteers work with staff to determine what is possible and what is not, what the price point should be based on what is offered, and more. The subcommittees also procure the decorations and help set them up. “Everyone is very generous with their time,” Jen says. “We’re very lucky. We usually get plenty of volunteers to help on the day of the event.”
Even though the diversity of the Social Committee is key for generating a wide variety of ideas, the individual events themselves don’t necessarily have a target audience. For instance, the Miami Vice Pool Party in August was hosted by the young professionals: they came up with the idea and planned the whole thing. However, the one hundred and thirty members that embraced the theme and donned pastels and linens were made up of a broad swath of ages from young professionals to seniors and everyone in between.
“We have a great social circle here that other clubs might not have, which is appealing to a lot of people. Specifically with Miami Vice, our goal was to put on a summer event that catered to all age ranges,” says Natalee.
While there are several fantastic summer social events, families are busy with swim team, vacations, and golf, so social activity at the Club scales back in the summer and then ramps back up in the fall. Jen and Natalee describe September and October as the “sweet spot” for social events which is why you’ll see so many activities packed into the coming weeks. Rather than being concerned about having “too much” going on, the Social Committee is excited to offer so many different opportunities for people to enjoy themselves at the Club.
Creating a packed social calendar also gives the committee the chance to experiment with new events: “Sometimes we try something new and that’s how we find out if it works or not, like the Medieval Dinner last spring. We thought it would be great, but for whatever reason it didn’t take off and we had to cancel it. It was disappointing, but at least we tried it out. We keep trying different things and the events don’t need to stick; it’s fun to do something different.”
Certain staple events are easy to replicate with minimal effort, but getting a new idea off the ground or bringing back a past event that hasn’t been done in a few years requires more work. Last year wasn’t the first time SGCC hosted a Casino Night, but it had been several years so there was a learning curve even though it was one of the best-attended events the committee hosted in 2022. “There wasn’t the turnover we expected at the game tables last year, so this year we ordered more,” says Jen. “There are a few other things we’ll do differently to make things run more smoothly, like how we call out the raffle winners. When it gets toward the end of the night and people have had a few cocktails, they aren’t necessarily listening out for a string of numbers, so a small change like calling a name instead will make a difference.”
The annual member bus trip to a winery or brewery also takes place in the fall. This year’s trip is scheduled for Saturday, October 14 and features a fun twist Flying Ace, our destination brewery, is also a distillery, so members will have the chance to sample spirits as well as beers. These annual trips are one of the most enjoyable activities the Club puts on, even if they don’t tend to draw a large crowd. They are a personal favorite of Jen’s: “We usually have thirty people on average, and the most fun is honestly the bus ride coming home. The Club puts big coolers on the bus and someone from the Club comes so there are snacks and beverages during the drive. At the brewery or winery everyone is on their own for drinks and food, but the bus rides are a blast. We have music and there’s been known to be some dancing. There’s just great camaraderie.”
The idea that it’s not as simple as replicating an event that was
successful in years past is exemplified in the various iterations of the Adult Halloween Party. Over the years it has ranged from a happy hour to a costume party to a themed wine dinner. As the needs and wants of the membership change, so too do the events. This year, we’re trying out a Halloween Block Party for adults with food stations and haunted mini golf.
“A lot of logistics go into these parties and events,” Natalee says. “We’re always learning what’s working and what’s not, what we need to repeat and what events need a new idea.”
“Exactly. I love the New Year’s Eve wine dinners, but I think we’ve repeated it so many times that it’s gotten stale,” Jen adds. “Last year, we didn’t have as many people attending, but the people that did come really enjoyed themselves. I think we’re ready to try something a little different.”
When discussing the changes for long-standing events and ideas for new ones, Jen and Natalee have thoughts of their own, but also turn to the staff for their input. “I’d love to use the course more somehow,” says Jen. “I know we don’t want to mess up the greens, but I think we could do some really cool things like Chef Travis Simmons’ Oktoberfest Beer Garden Dinner on September 26. It’s going to be outside, so we get to bring in the beauty of the course without damaging it. We also have a new General Manager with a fresh perspective and his own great ideas.”
“We’re evolving!” Natalee chimes in.
“Yes, we are!” Jen agrees.
For both Jen and Natalee, the best thing about serving on the Social Committee is the way it gives them a personal stake in the Club community and culture. “There’s a lot of value in being more involved in the outcome of the Club and meeting more members by being on the committee, seeing what people like and what makes us grow,” says Natalee. “I like the involvement factor and the relationships that come from it.”
“Same,” Jen agrees. “I’ve met so many people I don’t think I would have met otherwise. I love when people seek us out with their ideas. I love this club, it’s like a family to me, so to have everyone together enjoying a single event that we helped create is very rewarding.”
Twilight League: An Insider’s Perspective
BY JOHNNY GARSTKA | COMMUNICATION COMMITTEETwilight League is a fantastic way to get your competitive juices flowing, build camaraderie with your teammates, and make the most of your membership as a men’s golfer at SGCC. Twilight League takes place on Tuesday nights for about six weeks, typically during May and June, and is the perfect way to kick off the summer golf season.
If you aren’t familiar with the logistics of Twilight League, I’ll give you a quick rundown. Before the season starts, twelve captains draft a squad of about nine players. Each week, the captains send their line-ups into the Golf Shop where Josh and/or Roger make the pairings for each of the six team matchups. The twelve teams are split in half into a North and South division. Each team plays five matches in their respective division. At the end of the regular season, the teams are seeded into a playoff finale to battle for their final ranking among all twelve teams. Prizes are awarded to the teams based on where they finish the season and typically consist of either Pro Shop credit, golf bags, balls, shoes, etc.
Each week, six players from each team compete in twosomes. The 9-hole matches are set up as better ball between the teams and are played off the low man in each respective group. For a low-handicap player like me, this can make it a bit more challenging some nights depending on how the strokes work out. With that being said, playing in net events as a low handicap really pushes you to play your best or else you can get steamrolled due to the handicap strokes. I view Twilight League as an opportunity to gain match play experience; it forces you to make birdies/play well to stay in matches.
Outside of the competition, the opportunity to build relationships with your teammates and get to know other guys at the Club is a blast. I’ve met some really cool people and made some new friends through Twilight League that I possibly never would have connected with otherwise. Golf is typically an individual sport, but competing together week-in and weekout adds a team element that wouldn’t be there for a lot of people at SGCC if it weren’t for Twilight League.
I encourage you to join Twilight League next year. It sets the tone for the summer golf season, encourages healthy competition, fosters relationship building among men’s golfers at the Club, and provides an opportunity to engage in the things that make club membership so great: friendship, great golf, and community. Thank you to Josh, Roger, and the entire professional golf staff for organizing on a weekly basis during Twilight League season. Also, thank you to the F&B staff who always take great care of us when we roll off the course each and every week during the season!
Coach’s Corner
BY BRANDEN BEETS | DIRECTOR OF RACQUET SPORTSAppreciate the Little Things
I knew I wasn’t invincible. No one is, right? But I also never thought I would be the one injured. As long as I wasn’t reckless, I figured I could live the “work hard, play hard” life and pack as much into each day as possible enjoying life and making memories along the way! Then, suddenly, for the first time in my life, I found myself with a serious injury.
On the day of the injury there were no warning signs. My body felt great, I was wearing compression sleeves, I stretched and warmed up properly, and I was not doing anything reckless. That’s when my Achilles ruptured. As my surgeon described, the MRI illustrated a bomb going off inside my Achilles. I
couldn’t believe it it wasn’t even that painful at first. As I was sprinting and doing a right-to-left change of direction, it felt like a hard ball hit the back of my right ankle. I fell and looked around to see who hit me! But there wasn’t a ball in sight. At that moment, I knew I had suffered a bad injury and I had a brief mourning about the long recovery ahead.
Those of you who know me know I’m a very positive person. I have been optimistic throughout this experience and have been blessed to not have suffered any other major injuries before now. However, through this experience, I have gained a greater respect for the “little things” in life. Things like walking the dog, standing in the shower, taking my kids to the beach, using stairs, exercising, driving, etc. You will never hear me complain because I have been blessed! The support has been amazing from the SGCC community. When someone asks me how I’m doing, it puts a smile on my face. Even Club members that I hadn’t connected with yet stop by the Racquets office to check on me! Players in my lessons grabbed the keys and ball carts for our sessions without me asking. These small gestures have had a big impact on my recovery, and I can’t express my appreciation enough to the SGCC players, members, and staff for the continued support throughout this journey.
I’m now approaching four months post-surgery and walking without a boot. I’ve retired the scooter. I won’t be able to play pickleball or tennis how I want to for another four months, but I’m on the right path. My leg still doesn’t feel like “my leg.” However, I do feel my muscles firing again. Now, I can walk up and down stairs without using an elevator. I’m on the court doing half court tennis warmups with our members and before you know it, this journey will be behind me completely.
As we approach the fall season at SGCC Racquets, let me encourage you to also appreciate the little things, like I have learned to do. We have such a wonderful community of players and beautiful amenities. If there is something we can do better, don’t hesitate to talk to our team. We want to know where we are exceeding your expectations and where we can improve. Our team cares about the little things. Thank you for the opportunity to work with your families and we can’t wait to see you next time at the Club.
Meet Anastasia Vaganova
Anastasia Vaganova is SGCC’s new Head Racquets Professional. She holds certifications from USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association), IPTPA (International Pickleball Training Professional Association), and ITF (International Tennis Federation).
Anastasia excelled as a highly-ranked junior player before advancing to Division 1 competition at the University of New Orleans. During her college career, she dominated the #1 singles and #1 doubles positions. She achieved the Freshman of the Year award in one semester, remained undefeated in conference matches for the First Team Singles & Doubles, made it to the AllTournament Team, and earned titles like Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player of the Year. She was also honored twice as part of the All-Conference First Team. Notably, she won the Seasonal NCAA Championship of the Southland Conference in 2021
Prior to joining the SGCC team, Anastasia has worked as an Administrative Club Manager, High-Performance Tennis Professional, Pickleball Director, Camp Director, and Assistant Director at a High-Performance Junior Academy.
In an effort to help our membership get to know Anastasia, we asked her some questions about herself and her tennis life:
When did you begin playing tennis? Was there someone special who introduced you to it or inspired you to play?
I began my tennis journey at the age of three, initially playing as a family activity. However, as my parents’ work commitments grew, I started practicing on my own with my first coach for a remarkable span of twelve years. I always dreamed of joining dance or ballet classes when I was younger; however, I am very grateful right now that my parents introduced me to tennis at
such a young age. Their support has been unwavering. They accompanied me to numerous national and international tournaments and stood by me every step of the way. What’s even more exciting is that I’ve had the incredible opportunity to be coached by renowned tennis professionals and coaches, including my ATP coach Davide Giusti, Marat Safin, Apostolos Tsitsipas, Ons Jabeur, and Anastasia Myskina, as well as coaches from various national teams. Their influence has truly enriched my tennis experience.
When did you know you wanted to pursue tennis in a professional capacity?
The idea of pursuing tennis professionally started to take shape during my teenage years, when I was about fifteen or sixteen. At that point, I had exciting offers from different national teams and the chance to play more tournaments on the ITF and WTA tours. However, I made a deliberate choice to prioritize education, believing it was the right move for my future. Additionally, I hadn’t experienced Division 1 college tennis yet, and this new chapter intrigued me. This decision led to a unique professional journey where I earned numerous awards and became a conference champion with my college team, highlighting the rewards of a balanced approach.
What’s the most memorable match/tournament you’ve played and why?
My most unforgettable tournament was my debut event at the age of seven. I didn’t anticipate winning any matches at my first tournament, considering that all the other participants were older (the tournament was for ages ten and under).
Surprisingly, I found myself in the final against a nine-year-old opponent who was more skilled than I was. The match extended to three sets and lasted for over two hours, even interrupted by rain. My coach and parents were overjoyed with the effort and
to celebrate, my parents treated me to a delightful shopping spree, indulging me with all the sweets I desired.
What does your personal tennis experience look like these days? How and how often do you train, do you still compete, etc.?
I believe that consistent daily training is a priority, and I find delight in playing tennis or pickleball to keep my fitness intact and to partake in matches or practices with high-performance juniors. I’m open to the prospect of participating in professional tournaments or unique events if the opportunity arises.
I also take pleasure in attending live tennis matches and offering support to my professional player friends. In addition to tennis, I incorporate a variety of activities into my routine to prioritize my well-being, such as pilates, running, golf, yoga, and other forms of exercise.
Do you have any personal rituals like a mantra, specific ball bounce, or something of that ilk that you complete when competing?
Throughout my career, I’ve had various personal rituals that have accompanied me during matches. Among these, one of the most memorable is the act of touching my necklace before stepping onto the court. This simple action always instilled a strong sense of confidence within me, setting the tone for the match ahead. It’s amazing how these little rituals can bring a heightened focus and assurance when it matters most.
What do you find most rewarding about coaching?
Coaching brings me so much excitement and satisfaction. The best part is introducing new players to the world of tennis, helping them stay active, and getting young ones enthusiastic about the sport. It’s incredibly rewarding to see these players not only learn but also develop a real passion for tennis. Being a coach lets me share in their journey, and that’s what makes coaching so special to me.
Do you have a preference for tennis or pickleball, and why?
I have a genuine love for all racquet sports and find joy in each unique experience they offer. I was initially introduced to pickleball and platform tennis during my time in Florida around five or six years ago, though they weren’t as popular back then. However, around two years ago, I witnessed the explosive growth of pickleball and decided to delve deeper into it. I obtained a coaching certification and began coaching pickleball, immersing myself in its nuances. Alongside coaching, I also participated in a handful of professional pickleball tournaments,
achieving notable successes with first-place finishes. This dual engagement in both tennis and pickleball has enriched my overall journey, letting me enjoy the different things each sport offers.
Turf Talk
BY SHAWN GILL | GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTSummer seems to be pretty much behind us as we move into “fall” aeration. It looks like the weather will cooperate with us and by the time you read this, you’ll be out playing in cool September weather on quickly healing greens.
The summer has not been without its challenges: the June drought tested the limits of how dry the course can get without causing significant damage. As it turns out, it can be pushed pretty far and, most likely, gained strength during this period that helped it withstand and bounce back from some very wet conditions in July and August without becoming “mucky” and thinned out. Thanks to everyone for being supportive when we were forced to limit carts to paths during some of the driest days. This allowed me to conserve water without risking damage to the course and is paying dividends now.
As we transition into fall, thoughts turn to areas where we can further improve the course. It all starts with the foundation and the dreaded “A” word. If it makes you feel any better, golf maintenance teams around the world dislike aeration at least as much as all of you do. It means long, hard days of very physical work along with trying to catch up on normal turf care duties. But without the pain, there is no gain.
Aeration brings much needed oxygen to the roots and helps us create firmer, smoother playing surfaces. We will do all we can to get things back to expected conditions as soon as possible. One area where we will be working to improve conditions is the mapping and treatment of weeds in the rough. Some weeds, such as clover, can be controlled rather easily during the good growing weather that comes with fall. Others are summer weeds such as nutsedge (tall yellow grass) that have gotten a pretty good foothold in many areas. While it is a bit late to take care of it now, we will map out where the nutsedge is prolific so we can treat it early next season before it grows into a problem.
I’ll bet you were all thinking you wouldn’t have to hear the word “spillway” muttered again until we complete a final fix after all the dam inspections and analysis have been performed. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. A heavy rainstorm caused substantial erosion of the temporary repair. The design/construction company will be back on site to carry out repairs and, thankfully, the part of the structure that maintains our irrigation pond water levels was unaffected. You
should encounter very little disturbance as much of the work should be completed during the fall aeration closure.
I have to take a minute to recognize my team and the incredible effort they put forth on a daily basis. Their experience, knowledge, and dedication were key to our success this season. As many of you know, I was not able to find a qualified Assistant Superintendent to hire as I transitioned into the Superintendent role here at SGCC. Stepping up and assuming most of those duties was our Foreman, Jose Barahona. Jose is perhaps the best employee I’ve worked with in my 35 years of turfgrass management. He has an incredible ability to recognize what
needs to be done, how to accomplish those things in the most efficient manner possible, and see to it that the right people are getting them done correctly. I hope all of you will have the chance to get to know him better as I think you’ll be just as impressed as I am.
Notes from the Cutting Board
BY TRAVIS SIMMONS | EXECUTIVE CHEFAs we turn our attention toward back to school, I thought we could embrace the spirit of learning and cover some fun culinary facts.
Did you know that the chef uniform has meaning that relates to food and culinary history? Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m sorry that’s 86’d”? Where does the term “airline chicken breast” come from? Let’s look at the meanings and stories behind these items. What’s about to be covered has been passed down from Chef to cook over the years. I received
the stories and meanings at the bar over drinks with my Chefs. It’s a rite of passage, they said. Now, with that in mind, I’m sure you can Wiki any of these terms and find variations of each story. We may or may not have a pop quiz at the end of the month, so listen up!
The traditional black-and-white checkered chef pants that I’m sure you’ve seen represent salt and pepper. One could say this is the base seasoning for cooking. Next, and maybe the story I like the most, is the chef coat. In the late 18th century during
the French Revolution, Louis the XVI’s cooks ran to the Far East to seek asylum in the Himalayan Monasteries. While in the East they adopted some of the culture and clothing. Thus, in the mid-19th century when they returned home, the first versions of modern chef coats began to appear. Side note, chef coat sleeves are meant to be longer than normal. When rolled down, the cuffs become built in potholders. Lastly, the chef hat or chef toque classically would have 101 folds. This is a reminder that there are 101 ways to cook an egg.
The term “86” has another fun story and, in my experience, is used widely from coast to coast in restaurants and bars alike. The story goes that during the alcohol prohibition of the late 1920’s and early 1930’s there was club known as the 86 Club. As you can imagine, illegal alcohol sales were the primary means of revenue. It is said the club had shelving set up to drop downward if law enforcement should visit. The bouncer would signal the bar tender to pull the lever and all the illegal alcohol would vanish by dropping to a false basement. Fast forward to the present. Keeping with the spirit (no pun intended) of the 86 Club, we in the hospitality industry use the term “86” when we have sold out of an item. Cooks and waiters across America at this very moment are yelling “86 it” to each other. No matter what’s going on in the kitchen or how loud and chaotic it may be, if someone says “86 it” you stop and listen. With all this said, there are two camps out there that will argue which city this club was in: Chicago or Manhattan. I personally believe it’s Chicago, but who really knows? Both cities have 86th Street and probably had their own 86 Club.
You may or may not have seen airline chicken breast on our features in the past couple of months. Staff and members alike have stopped and asked me what that means, so I’ll do my best to explain. When commercial aviation was in its infancy, they wanted to provide an in-flight meal. Since these were new companies with small budgets, the meal needed to be cost effective. Some say a butcher had been contacted about providing the in-flight meal with cost in mind. His solution was a bone-in, skin-on chicken breast. By leaving the last wing bone intact and the skin in place, he managed to cut labor cost. Both parties agreed on price and off to the friendly skies the chicken went. Passengers would return home and look over restaurant menus in search of the chicken they had while flying. Some would explain the chicken dish and others would just say “I want the chicken like I had it on the airline.” This is said to be the start of airline chicken breast. A once cost-effective cut for airlines has now become the top shelf cut of the chicken breast game.
I hope you all have a productive and safe school year.
Calendar of Events
Immortalised to Death : SGCC Member Lyn Squire’s Debut Novel is a Riveting Murder Mystery Set in Victorian England
According to official records, Charles Dickens died of a stroke at the age of 58….but did he really? An avid reader of whodunits, it was serendipity rather than a love of Dickens’ work that inspired SGCC member Lyn Squire to write his debut novel. Immortalised to Death Dickens’ untimely death and his final, unfinished story in the form of a thrilling murder mystery.
While rereading some of the classics, including Dickens’ unfinished Mystery of Edwin Drood, Lyn spotted something odd. John Forster, Dickens’ literary agent, claims in his biography of the author that the solution to the story was going to turn on a distinctive ring found on Edwin’s decomposed body. This claim has been widely accepted by Dickens scholars, but Lyn thought that rather than carry a priceless ring around on his person, it was much more likely Edwin would lock it away for safekeeping. That being the case, all the attempted continuations of the story based on Forster’s claim are wrong.
The number of attempts made to discover the ‘true’ ending to Dickens’ final novel is astonishing. A six-hundred-page bibliography published in 1998 lists almost two thousand attempts to unearth clues in the text, decipher how the plot might evolve, and, of course, discover Edwin’s fate. Could the possibility of the ring being somewhere other than on Edwin’s person when he disappeared
have been totally missed by everyone else? As far as Lyn could see, nobody had considered this possibility, but, to be sure, he submitted the evidence supporting his view to The Dickensian, a publication devoted to Dickens scholarship.
Lyn had no intention of writing a novel, but feeling bolstered by his article’s support and publication, he realized how his continuation of The Mystery of Edwin Drood could fit into a larger narrative about Dickens’ life including his liaison with a former London stage performer and the determined ways in which his sister-in-law sought to protect his reputation. An established author of multiple nonfiction works, Lyn decided to explore his solution in the form of fiction.
Set in the Kent countryside and the London slums of 1870, the first book in the Dunston Burnett Trilogy opens with legendary Victorian novelist Charles Dickens dead at his desk, pen in hand. Lyn’s debut novel reimagines Dickens’ death and embeds an ingenious solution to his unfinished manuscript within the evolving and ultimately tragic consequences of a broader mystery surrounding the author himself.
In a thrilling tale of secrets hidden in the literary legend’s half-finished manuscript, the mystery unravels as Dickens’ nephew and unlikely detective Dunston Burnett tries to find the solution to his uncle’s unfinished novel. Convinced the identity of his uncle’s murderer lies in
the book’s missing conclusion, Dunston becomes obsessed with investigating those closest to Dickens. Was he murdered because someone feared a ruinous revelation? Or was it revenge for some past misdeed?
Fictional detectives typically fall into two broad categories: the classic sleuth exemplified by the magnificent Sherlock Holmes with his extraordinary powers of observation and brilliant, never-wrong deductions; and the tough, hard-boiled private eye like Sam Spade who could be beaten to a pulp in one chapter and yet be back on his feet in the next, ready to go. There are many variations on these stereotypes, but Lyn wanted his protagonist to be someone who was far from typical detective material.
Enter Dunston Burnett, a diffident, middle-aged, retired bookkeeper. For a quick mental (Dickensian) image of him, think of a latter-day Mr. Pickwick. Dunston does, however, have two talents. He has what his policeman friend calls ‘preductions,’ insights that jump well beyond the known facts and that, unlike Sherlock’s, may or may not prove prescient. Furthermore, once Dunston gets his teeth into something, he has the perseverance of King Bruce’s spider. The question confronting Dunston (and the reader) is this: Are his limited detective skills pre-ductions and tenacity anywhere near enough to unravel the apparently perfect murders he encounters?
Immortalised to Death, which will be published by Level Best Books on September 26, 2023, is the first book in the Dunston Burnett Trilogy. Dunston encounters a fresh mystery in each installation, but there is a common theme running through the stories: the tension between Dunston’s limitations as a detective and the apparently unsolvable mysteries confronting him. How does he fare? In Immortalised to Death Dunston’s envisioned conclusion to The Mystery of Edwin Drood takes him a long way towards solving the bigger mystery surrounding the death of Dickens, but perhaps not quite all the way. In the second book, Fatally Inferior, he unearths the motive behind a woman’s disappearance but is that enough to lead him to the killer? The third novel, The Séance of Murder, is set against the spiritualist movement that swept through Victorian England. Here the issue is more dire: can Dunston expose the murderer of the heir to the Crenshaw Baronetcy before he himself is done away with? Readers can expect deft plotting reminiscent of Agatha Christie, a refreshingly unique protagonist, and evocative prose which will have them questioning what is fact and what is fiction.
By now your interest is piqued and you’ve pre-ordered the novel from your favorite bookseller, but what about the author?
Chances are you’ve seen Lyn and Jenny Squire around the tennis courts and at the Clubhouse. The Squires are originally from Wales and joined SGCC in 1980. They have many fond memories of the Club, including Jenny and her partner winning the 1981 Mixed Doubles Bisque. Lyn never won anything, but he does organize the men’s Tuesday bridge group. Their sons, Gary and Hugh, made good use of the Club growing up, swimming and playing tennis all summer and making lots of friends. The Club has been a wonderful outlet for making friendships that last a lifetime. Next time you see the couple around SGCC, make sure you say hello you might not be able to get Lyn to reveal any secrets from his upcoming novels, but you’ll certainly make a new friend and have an interesting conversation!
Do you have a personal accomplishment you’d like to celebrate with your fellow members? Reach out to Emily Kauffman at emily@sgccva.org and discover how to share your achievements with our community.
Talented SGCC Members Advance in National Tournaments
BY JOSH TREMBLAY, PGA | DIRECTOR OF GOLFSpringfield recently hosted a qualifier for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship thanks to a strong relationship with the Virginia State Golf Association. One of our very own members, Alexandra Austin, competed in the event. After a roller coaster on the front nine (four birdies, four bogeys, and an unfortunate break that led to a triple bogey on 8), Alex steadied herself and played a 2 under back nine with eight pars and an eagle on Hole #17 from 89 yards out. This +1 score of 72 was the low score of the day and helped her earn one of the three qualifying spots. She will now play in the 36th Annual U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship to be held at Stonewall’s North Course in Elverson, PA from September 9-13. Lauren Greenlief will also be playing at Stonewall as she is a past champion.
Our reigning Club Champion, Carlos Aranda, also competed in a national championship this summer. Carlos qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Martis Camp Club in Truckee, CA on August 26-31. He advanced through a qualifier in late July at The Preserve at Eisenhower in Crownsville, MD where he tied for the low score of 73 and took one of two qualifying spots. Carlos had three birdies and eleven pars during his round to advance to his first U.S. Senior Amateur. He qualified for match play in the Championship after finishing T-11 in stroke play, but lost his first match in round of 64.
Coming off a strong freshman year at the University of Missouri, Melanie Walker qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Bel-Air CC in Los Angeles in July. She fired a 71-74 for a 36-Hole qualifying score of 145 to unfortunately miss out on Match Play by one shot. Back in May, Melanie and her teammate Sydney Hackett qualified for and advanced all the way to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women’s Four-Ball Championship at The Home Course in Dupont, WA.
One of our younger competitors at the Club, eight-year-old Charlie Sprague, has advanced through two stages of the Drive, Chip, & Putt competition. His sub-regional was at Salisbury Country Club in Richmond, VA where he took 2nd place honors in the Boys 7–9 division. He was competitive in all three factions of the competition, but it was his score of 50 on the putting portion that helped advance him to the Regional at Aronimink Golf Club on September 16. We will all be rooting for Charlie to hopefully advance to Augusta next April.
In addition to his success in the Drive, Chip, & Putt competition, Charlie and his six-year-old brother Tucker Sprague had impressive performances on the U.S. Kids Golf circuit this summer. At the late-July U.S. Kids World Championships in Pinehurst, NC, Charlie finished sixth in the eight-year-old age group and Tucker finished seventh in the six-year-old group. Both groups had over one hundred players from around the world. The brothers also won the VA State Tournament in their age group and finished Top 5 in U.S. Kids regional tournaments in Williamsburg, Palm Beach, and Pinehurst. They also finished first in the U.S. Kids Maryland local tour.
Membership Corner
BY SHELLY GOOREVICH | MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORPlease join me in extending a warm welcome to the Thomas family Kelly and Nathan both grew up locally (Lorton and Springfield) and attended college in Virginia (JMU and UVA). They met in 2016 before moving to San Mateo, CA. After spending a few years in California, Kelly and Nathan settled down back home in Springfield in 2020. They welcomed their daughter, Nora, to the family in September 2022. The Thomas family is excited to have joined the SGCC community and looks forward to meeting other members, building new friendships, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Membership Information Changes
Have you added a new member to your family, moved, changed your email address or phone number in the last year? If so, please reach out to me at shelly@sgccva.org so that I can ensure your membership profile is up to date.
Are You Enjoying Your Membership to the Fullest?
Our beautifully updated Racquets & Fitness Center is a vibrant and enticing part of the SGCC community with programming for the entire family. Make an appointment today and treat yourself to a massage, facial, steam, and sauna.
As a reminder, unless otherwise noted (i.e., Goat Yoga or Ballroom Dancing) our fitness classes are complimentary for members. You may bring the same guest twice a month for a fee to enjoy our fitness and racquet sports programming with you.
Did you know we’ve expanded our Child Minding hours? Child Minding is now available seven days a week:
Monday – Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Monday – Friday, 5:00 – 8:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Did you know that both Active and Social members can participate in our golf clinics? Our next Men’s Golf Social, Beer, Bourbon, & Bombs, is scheduled for Friday, September
8. Our popular Ladies Golf Social, Women, Wine, & Wedges, has a session on Saturday, September 9. Also, Social members may use the golf course once a month. As a reminder, green fees do apply.
Our talented and enthusiastic Food & Beverage team has been working diligently to bring you new and exciting reasons to join us at the Grill and is busy creating exciting special events for you, your friends, and family to enjoy. September especially is brimming with fun activities including Casino Night, Oktoberfest Beer Garden Dinner, and a South African Wine Dinner. Looking ahead to October and November, make sure you don’t miss out on the trip to Flying Ace, our Halloween celebrations, or Dueling Pianos.
Make sure you’re reading the weekly departmental emails so you don’t miss out on the myriad opportunities you have as an SGCC member. Do you know someone who would enjoy life as an SGCC member? Let me know, and I will get your referral in for a tour so they can start relishing the perks of club membership right alongside you!
Guys & Gals
BY RUSTY ROESCH & KAREN MCNAMARAThe Annual Guys and Gals golf event was once again a smashing success! The weather was hot and humid, but thirty-one golfers representing SGCC’s Men’s Retirees and the Women’s 18-Holers gathered for a competitive round of golf. After a protein-charged breakfast, the field was off to play a modified scramble and the race was tight to the very end. The competition was tough, but the winning team of Terri Crook, Karen McNamara, and Harry Sarner, with Walt Szczypinski’s scores as a blind draw, earned first place and bragging rights for the next year with a remarkable minus 24 net score. Coming in a close second was the team of Steve Barker, Walt Szczypinski, Caretta Anderson, and Marcia Bisenius with minus 23. The top five teams received Pro Shop credit and headed out for some shopping after a great lunch in the Ballroom.
Couples Golf
BY SUSAN & DAVID WELLSWe continue to have a full field for our Couples events. It is great to see some new faces. Congratulations to the winners of our latest events:
JULY 27, DESIGNER
21
Rick Farro, Lori Farro, Mark Supko, and Maria Supko
John Pitrelli, Lena Pitrelli, Jonathan Larson, and Merissa Larson
AUGUST 4, BEST BALL EACH COUPLE
Michelle Austin, Gordon Austin, Alex Austin, and Joshua Groves
AUGUST 13, COUPLES CHAMPIONSHIP
Brett and Lindsay Hiserman
AUGUST 18, STEP ASIDE SCRAMBLE
Matt Lougheed, Heather Lougheed, Susan Wells, and David Wells
Our annual Couples trip is scheduled for September 8-10; fourteen couples going to Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, VA to enjoy some camaraderie and fantastic golf! After that, our season will conclude with the season-long points race shootout between the Top 10 ranked couples on September 24.
Retirees Recap
BY RUSTY ROESCHSummer 2023 has been good overall for the Retirees. As of press time, we are in second place in our division, behind Country Club of Fairfax by one half match with four matches to go. During September, we will face Washington Golf at home for a friendly match along with Army/Navy Arlington, Evergreen, and Chantilly Country Clubs. We will also travel to Evergreen County Club. Playoffs begin in October.
Our team was on a roll when we defeated Hidden Creek 22 to 14 on their home course on August 3. Twelve players shot net par or better. Leading our team was Rusty Roesch with a net 63. Bruce Sheaffer and Hank Webb both fired net 66’s.
August 17 saw us competing on the road at International Country Club. The weather was great, and the Springfield Retirees found their golf games to close out ICC 19½ to 16½ with a much-needed away win. Three folks pulled out of the match early in the week with COVID leaving Mike Saylor (78), Mark Crook (79), and Pat Noble (81) to turn in significant low gross scores. Mark Waters (69) and Peter Lee (70) led our team with highly competitive low net scores. Springfield also took all four of the sweeps with Mark Crook and Mark Waters in first place.
Please remember that it’s never too late to join the Retirees (just be a 50+ male golfer available to play on Thursdays). For more information on joining, contact Bruce Nordstrom at bnorthstream@yahoo.com or 202.494.6558.
Take a Chance, Learn to Dance
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE FITNESS DEPARTMENT
“Some people seem to think that good dancers are born, but all the good dancers I have known are taught or trained.”
– Fred AstaireDid you hear that Ballroom Dancing is coming back to SGCC? This specialty fitness class is great for people who need to brush up on their dance skills as well as people completely new to dancing who may be looking for a fun date night or are getting ready to attend a special event. We’ve partnered with Michele Kearney at Elegant Dancing to offer a five-week session covering different styles of dance. If there is enough demand, we’ll look to add these special sessions to the schedule more regularly. The upcoming Ballroom Dancing session will meet on Saturdays from 4:00 to 5:00 PM beginning on October 14 Please note that we will not be holding a session on October 21, but that the class will pick back up the next week and run through November 18.
In case you’re unsure about whether or not to give Ballroom a try, we asked some of our members who have taken the classes before to provide some insight.
When did you first try ballroom dancing? How did you get into it?
Bob Barber: I started taking ballroom dancing lessons over 10 years ago. I gave Mary Beth a birthday gift of a set of lessons at a studio in Merrifield. She has always loved to dance, and I knew we were entering a phase in our lives in which we would be attending (and indeed, hosting) a lot of weddings, so I thought we could learn a couple of dances, such as the swing, that would serve us on the dance floor. In reality, the gift was that I was willing to take the dance classes with her.
Patrick Shaw & Nicole Brown: We have been doing ballroom dance off and on for many years, usually by taking lessons then dancing at weddings, holidays, celebrations, etc.
What do you like about ballroom dancing? What do you find challenging?
BB: In a social setting, such as weddings and parties, I like that I have the confidence to get on the floor and dance to just about any music that may be playing.
I should have noted that in the 10 years we have been taking lessons, we moved from purely social dancers to competitors in ballroom dancing competitions. What I like about competitive dancing are the challenges: understanding the music and its timing, remembering choreography for nine different dances, and navigating an often crowded dance floor, all while trying to perform for the professional judges.
PS & NB: The tough part is getting the steps and various rhythms to come more naturally. The only way to do that is by practice.
Can you describe the social aspect of the ballroom dancing classes at the Club?
BB: We really haven’t been students of the classes at the Club, but as several of the prior sessions have been conducted by some of our teachers, we have tried to attend a few of the classes to help out. We have observed that the members who take the classes look like they are having a lot of fun and are very supportive of each other.
PS & NB: It’s fun to meet other Club members whom I did not know previously. After class we now have something in common we can talk about during other Club activities.
What is your favorite dance and why?
BB: In social situations, I enjoy dancing the hustle and East Coast Swing because both dances are a lot of fun. Competitively, I love dancing the waltz (from among the smooth dances the
others being tango, foxtrot, and Viennese waltz) because it is romantic and elegant. My favorite from among rhythm dances is the rhumba, because frankly it’s sexy.
PS & NB: Swing for sure! It is the most fun and can be modified for use in any musical setting.
Do you consider ballroom dancing to be a good workout? Why or why not?
BB: It’s an excellent workout both physically and mentally. Physically, dancing fundamentally involves moving your body through space, so the cardio benefits are obvious. But the beneficial mental aspects also shouldn’t be overlooked.
PS & NB: It’s only a good workout because it is movement. It beats the couch. It is not strenuous at all.
Have you taken ballroom dancing classes anywhere besides SGCC?
BB: We take our lessons at Elegant Dancing in Fairfax. The classes at SGCC are a wonderful way to get introduced to ballroom dancing, but once you get the bug the only way to really improve your dancing is through private lessons with professional teachers. And the staff at Elegant Dancing is wonderful!
PS & NB: Yes, lots of places. We prefer the locales with a nice, dedicated dance floor with male and female instructors.
Any fun stories or anecdotes?
BB: We had a lot of fun choreographing the father/daughter dances for each of our three daughters’ weddings. A lesson we learned each time is that no dance never goes exactly as planned, but as long as you stay in the moment no one will ever know you made a mistake. Just keep smiling!
PS & NB: The first instructor we had at the Club several years back yelled at my wife about how she was doing a particular dance move. I don’t think he meant to be mean, but she never messed up that dance move again ;-) (*PS this is not the same instructor the Club currently uses!)
And your partner really likes it too!
PS & NB: It is very enjoyable, you’ll make new friends, and you’ll build a skill that will make you very cool at the next wedding you attend.
Ready to give Ballroom Dancing a whirl? Toggle over to October on the Fitness & Pool calendar and sign up! You can also call the Fitness Desk at 703.451.1485 to register. Happy dancing!
What would you say to someone considering giving ballroom dancing a try?
BB: For the guys: Being able to confidently lead your partner around the dance floor in any social occasion is a great life skill.